Naza Introduces NGV Citra And Ria

GAS FUEL… Mohamad Shalan Hassan showing the gas cylinder fitted to the Naza’s latest model at a media preview. Pix: Syed Muhammad Zahid KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) — The NAZA Group of Companies, Monday introduced two vehicles powered by natural gas, Citra and Ria, targeted at taxi operators as well as commercial users. Manager of Naza Automotive Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Mohamad Shalan Hassan, said the two cars, although slightly more expensive than existing models, offered 60 percent fuel cost savings in the long run. At a media preview of the cars here Monday, he said the models, the first locally made NGVs, would only be available on the road once customers demand is determined. “The preview was to gauge acceptance and interest from commercial and fleet buyers. Therefore, price, final specifications and sales targets are not available currently,” he said. The cars’ system offer the use of both gas and fuel. “Its duel fuel…if you run out of gas, it will automatically switch to fuel,” he said, adding that existing customers of the two models could also convert their engine to NGV. Mohamad Sahalan was also optimistic that the increase in fuel cost, the opening of more NGV stations as well as appealing tax incentive for such cars would enhance demand for the new Citra and Ria. He also said that talks with Petronas has indicated that the national oil and gas giant would open about 200 NGV stations by 2008 from the current 42 stations, of which 32 stations are in Klang Valley. “If there are more infrastructure (NGV stations), I am very sure that we can generate the demand for these cars,” he said. – BERNAMA

Naza hopes exports will reach 60pc of sales in 5 years

PORT KLANG: The Naza Group of Companies hopes its exports will constitute 60 percent of total sales in five years time, the head of operation for Naza Corporations Sdn Bhd, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin said.

“The Malaysian market is small compared with other countries. If we just concentrate in the Malaysian market, we won’t get the economy of scale,” he told reporters after marking Naza’s first shipment of its Sutera and 206 Bestari models to Nepal, here Friday.

The company, which is looking to export to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mauritius, Madagascar and South Africa, expects to export about 5,000 units this year.

It will be making its first shipment to Bangladesh next month. Naza’s first shipment to Nepal consisted of 50 units of the Sutera and 206 Bestari models, Nasarudin said, adding that it was also aiming to export about 500 units to the country this year.

He said that the export potential was also expected to improve with the completion of its Bertam plant in 2008 and with the introduction of more new models.

Its operations in Nepal is through its dealer Nepal, Alpine Motors Co Ltd.

Alpine Motors has its own finance company, Union Finance Ltd, which leases and provides loan facilities trough Union Money Transfer Co Ltd.

Alpine Motors, which would have two showrooms in Nepal, is also the first automotive retailer in the country to have credit card facilities.

When asked on whether Naza was looking at opening a plant in India, Nasarudin said that they were exploring the idea and that it was in the pipeline. He said the company was already in talks with a state government there.-Bernama